UMaine capsules

Men’s Basketball

MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

Time, site: Saturday, 2 p.m., USB Sports Complex, Stony Brook, N.Y.

Records: Maine 11-7 (5-4 America East); Stony Brook 6-12 (3-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine 5-3, Maine 46-41 Jan. 4

Key players: Maine – 6-2 G Kevin Reed (14.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.4 spg), 6-3 G Eric Dobson (12.3 ppg, 5.5 apg, 3.4 rpg), 6-10 F Mark Flavin (11.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg), 6-7 G-F Joe Campbell (7.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), 6-3 G Chris Markwood (6.0 ppg, 2.3 apg); Stony Brook – 6-3 G D.J. Munir (15.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg), 6-7 F-C Cori Spencer (10.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg), 6-0 G Mitchell Beauford (9.0 ppg, 2.4 apg, 1.8 spg), 6-5 F Mike Popoko (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Mike Konopka (6.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Outlook: The last meeting between these teams was a defensive struggle. Both have improved offensively since then and both have endured tough losses. Maine will need more offensive punch from its backcourt, which has been held in check recently, and continued contributions from Flavin and David Dubois inside. The Bears have a big advantage in terms of perimeter scoring with plenty of shooters and a 33.5 percentage from 3-point range. The Seawolves are second-to-last in 3-point shooting among AE teams with 4.4 made shots per game. Both teams have had trouble with turnovers as well. Maine committed 18 in its last game while Stony Brook is coming off a 22-turnover game against Boston University.

Women’s Basketball

MAINE vs. STONY BROOK

Time, site: Sunday, 1 p.m.; Alfond Arena, Orono

Records: Maine 12-5 (7-0 America East); Stony Brook 2-14 (1-6)

Series, last meeting: Maine leads 3-2; Maine 81-47 on 2/22/03

Key players: Maine – 6-1 F Heather Ernest (16.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.8 spg), 5-9 G Melissa Heon (12.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, .411 3-pt. pct.), 6-1 G/F Julie Veilleux (9.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, .903 FT pct.), 6-0 F Monica Peterson (7.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg), 5-7 G Kim Corbitt (4.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 1.6 spg), 6-3 F Abby Schrader (4.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg); Stony Brook – 5-8 G Mykeema Ford (12.1 ppg), 5-11 F Sherry Jordan (11.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 3.6 spg), 6-0 F/C Jessica Smith (10.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg), 5-9 G Danyelle Ingram (9.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), 6-4 F Bojana Bogetic (5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Outlook: The Bears seek their eighth straight AE win. Maine is coming off a 72-55 victory Wednesday at Northeastern. The Seawolves have dropped six in a row and 11 of 12. Stony Brook, led by former UM coach Trish Roberts, lost to BU 67-66 Wednesday. SBU ranks last in scoring defense (67.1 ppg) and 3-pt. shooting (.295). Maine has limited league foes to 53.1 ppg on .357 shooting. Keys include keeping a hand in the faces of SBU guards Jordan and Ford and forcing some turnovers and converting them into points. Solid rebounding that prevents second shots and initiates the fast-break attack also are staples of Maine’s success.